Burbank International Film Festival Announces Record Breaking 25 World Premieres and More Than 100 Films Over Five Days

BURBANK, Calif. — The 7th Burbank International Film Festival, which will run September 9th through 13th, announced its full lineup today, including 100 films from 31 countries, 25 world premieres, 22 award categories, and opening and closing night screenings. The Burbank International Film Festival is open to the public, with tickets available at www.burbankfilmfest.org

The five-day festival will honor pioneering actress and United Nations delegate Marsha Hunt with the 2015 Awareness Award for her humanitarian work worldwide.

“Located in the Media Capital of the World, our audience is film-savvy, enthusiastic, and linked to the movie business, giving filmmakers privileged access to top industry professionals.  This year, we’re proud to deliver our best festival yet, featuring incredibly diverse and talented filmmakers, exciting red carpet premieres, and the best in independent filmmaking,” said Jeff Rector, Festival Director.

Festival events will occur at numerous venues throughout Burbank, with Opening Night at the AMC 16 in Downtown Burbank, Night of Sci-fi, Fantasy & Horror at the IATSE Local 80 Sound Stage, Closing Night Gala at The Castaway Burbank, and more than 100 films screening at the AMC 6 at Burbank Town Center.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Wednesday, September 9th

Opening Night’s feature films will include Hoovey, directed by Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer) starring Patrick Warburton and Lauren Holly, and Few Options, directed by George A. Pappy Jr., starring Kenny Johnson, Erin Daniels, and Brad Dourif.

Thursday, September 10th

The Comedy / New Media program will showcase 23 films including Made for Each Other, directed by Bo Svenson, and Too Hip for the Room, directed by Oktay Ortabasi and starring Kelly Monteith.

Friday, September 11th

There will be 22 films in the Drama category, including Short Films by Women, and featuring Shevenge, directed by Amber Benson.

The Drama Centerpiece Feature will be 4Got10, directed by Timothy Woodward. Jr., written by Sean Ryan, and starring Dolph Lundgren, Vivica A. Fox, Danny Trejo, and Michael Paré.

Headlining the Drama category will be the theatrical world premier of Twelve Movie, capturing a rare collaboration among 12 award-winning filmmakers shot over 12 months in Los Angeles.

Saturday, September 12th

The festival will dedicate Saturday daytime screenings to Family Friendly Programming, including submissions by L.A. County Student Filmmakers (K through 12), Student Films, Animated Short Films, and Faith-Based films.

Featured presentations will include The Martial Arts Kid directed by Michael Baumgarten and starring martial arts legend Don Wilson, along with Cynthia Rothrock, Jansen Panettiere, and Kathryn Newton, and the 30th Anniversary Screening of Sci-Fi classic, Back To The Future, directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Saturday will conclude with a Night of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror showcasing 16 films, as well as the festival world premiere of Sharknado 3, directed by Anthony C. Ferrante.

Sunday, September 13th

The Documentary / Foreign Film category will include 15 films, and will feature the documentary Brotherhood of the Popcorn, directed by Inda Reid.

The Festival Closing Feature will be Marsha Hunt’s Sweet Adversity, directed by Roger C. Memos. In addition to screening this important documentary, the Burbank International Film Festival is pleased to present Marsha Hunt with the Awareness Award for her humanitarian work worldwide.

The 7^th Burbank International Film Festival is sponsored by Woodbury University, Downtown Burbank Partnership, and Visit Burbank, which encourages festival goers to book an overnight stay at a Burbank hotel. For a complete festival lineup including screening times and hotel information, please visit www.burbankfilmfest.org.